7E72004 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3586 posts, RR: 1 Posted (9 years 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 2673 times:
With the runway right behind the beach in St. Maarten, did they close the beach in that area down after 9/11? It seems like you could practically reach up and touch a plane when it is landing. Although it is an airport i would LOVE to see
The next generation of aircraft is just around the corner!
NIKV69 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (9 years 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 2617 times:
I am not sure, I know all US commercial aviation was shut down I don't know about there. I want to go to that airport one day! They sure do come in low!
Jakbar From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 442 posts, RR: 27 Reply 4, posted (9 years 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 2394 times:
I was just at Maho Beach in St. Maarten a week ago....definitely NOT closed. In fact, the *security* (more appropriately, lack thereof) is the same as it was pre-9/11. I had my camera through holes in the fence, less than 100 yards from the departing aircraft. I have never had a problem there.
While there, I saw a WinAir Twin Otter pull all the way down next to the fence and make a hard 180, swinging his right wing *over* the fence. As in...I could have lost my head if I wasn't paying attention! I guess it was to amuse the crowd, as I saw no other legitimate reason for a Twin Otter to backtrack into the runway overrun area prior to takeoff!
In my opinion, the more important thing that spotters have to deal with while at Maho Beach is the sun/heat. I was going through a bottle of water every 10-15 minutes (sold for $1 at the Sunset Beach Bar right on the beach).
Jakbar From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 442 posts, RR: 27 Reply 8, posted (9 years 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 2037 times:
Typically the younger women were the topless ones...thank God!
I haven't heard of Maho Beach ever being closed, even right after 9/11. Different way of life down there, I guess... As I stuck my camera through the holes in the fence (even in March '02), the pilots typically just wave....even for AA, US, CO, etc. The pilots are probably more concerned with getting a good view of the aforementioned sunbathers before taking off back to dismal locales such as PIT, EWR, etc.
FLY2LIM From United States of America, joined May 2004, 1183 posts, RR: 11 Reply 11, posted (9 years 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1833 times:
OK, somewhat off topic but, let's get real here. Are there men who really care if the women who are topless are older or younger? As far as I know, men pretty much just like to look at nude women, regardless of age. True, the younger ones may be more appealing but there is something to be said about "experience".
I could not resist. I apologize in anticipation to anyone who may be offended. I wonder if this will be my first posting that gets deleted.
So, returning to topic, one of the huge concerns after 9/11 has been airplanes being taken down by surface to air missiles. I suppose the original poster was asking about that. I know that perimeters around US airports have been restricted or closed down completely. And St. Maarten/St. Martin have pretty easy access and plenty of private places (like hotel room balconies overlooking the runway at SXM) for someone to plot something.
I would say that this is an area of great danger. As someone said, security there is the same as it's ever been.
Just my opinion.
FLY2LIM
DC-10 Levo From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 3432 posts, RR: 5 Reply 12, posted (9 years 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 1759 times:
I bet in the future something will happen and people will be unable to get that close to the aircraft. Hopefully that doesn't happen until I've experienced it myself in a couple of years time. I'm definitely going there after college.
SupraZachAir From Northern Mariana Islands, joined Feb 2004, 632 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (9 years 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1525 times:
OK, somewhat off topic but, let's get real here. Are there men who really care if the women who are topless are older or younger? As far as I know, men pretty much just like to look at nude women, regardless of age.
Speak for yourself, big guy. I like boobs that you don't have to reach down to play with. Stay away from leathery boobs, too. Simple as that!
I'm planning on going down there sometime in the future, just gotta make sure i don't get distracted since I'll be there with the g/f.
Jcs17 From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 8065 posts, RR: 43 Reply 14, posted (9 years 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 1410 times:
As far as I know, men pretty much just like to look at nude women, regardless of age. True, the younger ones may be more appealing but there is something to be said about "experience".
Uggghh... So you're trying to say that you wouldn't mind being on a beach with naked fify and sixty-something women? Uh, no thanks. Give me my hot, nubile 20-somethings and I'm one happy camper, anything over 40, you're talking stupid.
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From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3586 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15870 posts, 
or of the younger variety 
From Northern Mariana Islands, joined Feb 2004, 632 posts, 
since I'll be there with the g/f.
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Ireland, joined Jul 2003, 4977 posts, 
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